BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 26. The Crown Prince of Japan has gone to Havre. Major Compton Smith who disappeared at Cork on 16th. April is now proved to have been murdered. Documents captured in a Dublin raid include a letter of farewell by Compton Smith to his wife, written just before the Major was shot in cold blood. The letter said he was prepared to meet his fate as a brave man.

.lAP CROWN PRINCE

LONDON, May 30.

The Japanese Crown Prince’s farewell message states. —“I will not, fail to tell the people of Japan that the message of goodwill T brought to our ally, the British, nation, has been accepted and warmly reciprocated. That is how I interpret the spontaneous goodness received everywhere.”

A FRENCH DENIAL

PARIS, May 30.

Temps” declared the statements by the “Daily Herald’s” Vienna correspondent to the effect that the Allied representations demanded Admiral Horthy’s abdication, ar e false. Nothipg is known in Paris in regard to steps being taken in that direction. The “Daily Herald” doubtless" would welcome Belokon's return, but the Allies do not share such a desire NEXT OLYMPIC. GENEVA, May 30. Rugby football will be included in the next Olympic.

QUESTION OF WAGES

CAPETOWN* May 29.

An important conference between the Chamber of Mines and South Africa industrial federation is being held at Johannesburg on the question of a reduction of wages, owing to the decrease in prices. The Chamber suggested a cut of 3/- per shift, amounting to 18/weekly from July Ist. The men a.e considering the matter.

PEMBERTON BILLING

LONDON, May 27

Mr Pemberton Billing, the aviator M.P has resigned his seat in the House of Commons.

MOUNT EVEREST.

NEWS OF THE CLIMBERS

LONDON. May 28

“The Times” has received an exclusive despatch from Colonel Howard Bury, leader of the adventurous expedition which hopes to conquer Mt. Everest. He describes their start from Darjeeling. The advance party left on Ma v 13th. going up the Teesta Valley to 'correct the maps. The main body left in two sections from the Government House on May 18th, and on the 19th in monsoon-like weather. There were torrential downpours, with the mountains veiled by thick clouds. The principal transport consists of one hundred mules and drivers, who are hillmen from Northern India. In preparation for the great adventure, they had been route marching for weeks past. The expedition is employing forty Sherga coolies, drawn from villages close to Everest. They never before had been visited by Europeans. They provide the port corps. They are strong "and sturdy, with an amazing sense of humour. Their strangest characteristic is their huge feet, which made fitting out in.boots in a tough problem. The expedition is fully equipped with medical, geological, botanical and zoological experts. There is a complete equipment for surveying and photographic apparatus, and arrangements have been made to develop the results at Tibet.

EGYPTIAN UPHEAVAL.

CAIRO, May 30

The British Union of Egypt has sent an address to Marshall Allenbv stating that the Egyptian Army and police had shown incapacity to quell serious disturbances. It says the assumption that the Egyptians have learned i.o restrain their fanatical and anti-European tendencies, similar to 1882, had proved a fallacy, and that Britain would be held blood-guilty if her failure to send sufficient troops to maintain order resulted in heavy loss of life.

TURKISH HOSTILITY TO BRITAIN

LONDON, May 30.

The “Daily Express” Constantinople correspondent says: It is useless blinking the fact that the extreme Turkish Nationalists now in power consider themselves at war with Britain. They have sent an official intimation forbidding British ships to enter Anatolian porits, and declaring that any shins infringing this order will he bombarded from the land batteries. <

VTjADIVOSTOCK COUP. TOKIO, Mac 28

It is impossible to judge vet whethet the Vladivostok political convulsion means the beginning of a widespread a-nti-Biolshevik movement throughout Siberia or is just sporadic fractional effort, which will collapse before tin first Red resistance. The situation ’s already complicated by tTie appearance of rival factions. The former President, who took refuge with the Japanese, is still issuing orders claiming to be in power. Meantime the new Government is under Merhornv. It is exercising power, while a third Government; is announced under Boldyrev, which is disputing Merkoras* right in rule. The Japanese remain neutral except that they are deteiunined to prevent any fighting in theiri sphere of occupation, in which they have disarmed all factions.